Rocco Baldelli

In 2005, Baldelli\'s career was derailed by a rare metabolic/muscular disorder that caused frequent soft tissue injuries, fatigue, and other ailments. He was unable to play in 2005, and missed significant time over the following seasons as doctors struggled to diagnose and treat his condition. From 2005 until his retirement, the former everyday center fielder spent long stretches on the disabled list and appeared in half of his team\'s games only once — in 2006, when he appeared in 92 games. The Rays did not renew his contract, after the 2008 season and Baldelli signed a free-agent contract with his hometown Boston Red Sox, for 2009, appearing in 62 games as a backup outfielder and part-time designated hitter. He considered retirement and returned to the Rays organization as a minor league coach in December 2009. As the 2010 season progressed, he decided to attempt another comeback and b…